Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1887-01-06
The Cup of Cold Water.

Templars' Hall. Riverside, Nov. Is. 1856. wa,
read on that occasion by the author. Mrs. Anna
Sargent Hunt. of Augusta. Il appeared orig
inally in u magazine with which Mr>. Hunt i.
editorially connected and the lady friend who
told the story is Il resident of Skowhcgan.
II was only a dream that She told me.
But it, menI'rl j. fresh in my mind:
And 80 fast IN ill., spell doth il hold me.
am seeking some mcauin. 10 find.
80. In rhyme will tell You The story
A. II came from the lip Of my friend.
And would that it hram> with The glory
Which her telling would certainly lend.
I'D been ihinking'>hc said. while li>irucd.
''pf the faT-rrachins work to hc done:
And that never for me d tear ali>trucd
"Mi-ht the crown of the victor ~ Won.
Wa gricN'd that no gr,ut fa>k> were given
W Nho>e Performance ou.d honor Hi name,
No commission straight out OF the heaven
And thought would watch till il came.
But il seemed that a voice saving.
You ar" breaking Nour faith with YOUR
Lord
For His bidding awaits your ohcying.
md ,our field i both needy and broad
Then slept, but it seemed thai tarrivd
here a fountain WAS sparkling 80 bright.
And m, name was called quickly and carried
To my ear from the plain or the height.
Then turned me. and no one was near me-
But heard in the distance a cry.
I've been calling but no one viii hear me
And thirst. oh come quick ere die
Why should for Il stranger be troubled:
had something impoTtdht 10 do;
While | waited. cNcu>t> were doubled
But the pleading more pitifu grew.
Then my heart said. why is it YOU falter:
How unw orthv Your seeking for fame.
speed AWAY with cup of cold wafer
oh, delay not to give in His name.
so drew from the pure cleaning fountain
Re>>ed drau2ht thai WAS cool to the taste,
And hicd me aWas 10 the mountain.
D'cr the parchcd and dc>oIate waste.
But the plain it was barren and drearv.
And the pathway "a rough 10 my feet
That despite hr:tr heart | grew weary.
And almost sank doAu With the heat.
! WIS hiudcrrd tull on. and embarrassed
BY the trees thar lay low in the way,
Pressing on. though uncertain and hara~>cd,
For Ion. shadows were yelling tie day.
But The voice. and my love for the Master
When talttrcd. gave coilrt-, anew.
And my feet on my crrnnd ilrw foster.
And my zeal 70 intensity -ItW.
Would b. >pllld iu the -Hlh,r rim Ui-ht.
And tliat A' would NOT know ho~ sought
her
WIN the drAu=hl that had >i"fhIrd 50
bright.
Oh. th" wildW God was tangled! | dare not
Let the cup 20 Il haud-hr,l,ifh bctutc.
Frr IN, ca-r or m, comfort cared NOT
II guarded the Treasure | bore.
80 aiOft IL Wa carried mountain
there.
oh. how far bad roamrd from the fountain.
But must not ,r-uif a.t,I,>pair.
Now the d,rknc-. WA. deem and uplroLrr
Just be,ond mr heard m, nan,,. .r.al.p.
And The ,I,..nf M, ammo, v.,. in.I
must have for Iii terrible ILir,.r
But how little, il .tu,. I'll brought h,r.
How my heart >hrAuk from t,lHn. the
worst.
Then lool,d and o,,o,,. bsd ,,a.t,d
Far M, ,,r ,,.,. ,,iiI Lri,.,,,,,, ..r.j ,.f...r
And The water Wa, rnnJ rh,,' >L,. fa,r,,f
How r,buk,,l yy.r,. ,, ,l,,,il,f,..t,,)p pt, f,,,,
A. illumned the gloom Of th' nl-h';
Nurh 2iimp>" IN my W'ariu"~- gwen
OF presence ineiiabiy bright.
Twas my SAVIOR. my Guide. my p'frHdrr
Who had -uari,d Ht ai the way rhluu-h.
And win Iouh that wa julln- AND tehtiyr.
spoke ic nt} words that l,Wal> arr a,.~.
'Who>ocN cr >halI @iNc. >ay fruiy